Facebook’s 20th Anniversary – Feb. 04, 2024

It’s so tempting to impulsively jump into the fray and loudly react to what we see on whatever social media platforms we frequent. However, there is growing widespread concern over the incalculable damage being experienced at every level in society attributed to platforms designed to financially thrive on public outrage, pontificating, venting, ranting and reactionary behaviour.

Here’s some history. The growth of online ‘newspapers’ and digital news rapidly accelerated between 1996 and 1998. People could then easily share their views and the emotions evoked by a particular story, but their words would only be seen by those who happened to read the same story. But online platforms were about to break into society allowing billions to share their reactions, opinions and beliefs, hoping it may go viral.

February 04, 2024, marked Facebook’s 20th Anniversary. YouTube took off in late 2005. Twitter (seldom called X) followed in 2006, and Instagram followed in 2010. Snapchat in 2011 and TikTok in 2016 are just a few examples.

It might be hard to believe, but before 1996, the most common way to publicly share your opinion was to send a Letter to the Editor. It was painstakingly slow, and only the few letters that passed the screening process would ever see the light of day in the local newspaper. Quality writing skills were required, and writers had to pack a lot of punch into as few words as possible. Then, once you nuanced and edited it for the final time, you folded the paper, tucked it into an envelope, licked the seal, stamped it and dropped it in the mail.

The reality was — by the time you were ready to address the envelope, your blood had stopped boiling, and other legitimate distractions had tempered your warped perspective. The urgency and intensity had subsided. And the tragedy of a Christian’s un-Christ-like words being published for the world to see was averted.

Christian Testimony at Stake

With the pervasiveness of spontaneous messaging and its potential to go viral, there has never been a time in the history of the Christian faith when we needed to be more cautious with our words. Within seconds, we can join the chorus of rants on any particular subject. Yes, ten minutes later, when you are thinking more clearly, you can delete your words. But as many have embarrassingly discovered, once your words have blasted off into cyberspace – there is never a safe and sure way to ensure they have been deleted everywhere.

One impulsive comment posted by a Christian has the potential to do great harm and add fuel to the fire of those who seek to discredit the Christian faith and advance causes that are opposed to the Scriptures.

As Christians, we need to examine the lens through which we view our perishing world and the filters we select to colour our reactions and responses.

If left-leaning media tends to promote anti-God causes, it’s fair to say that right-leaning media has the potential to provoke anti-Christian sentiments in the very world we are supposed to be winning lost ones to Christ.

When commentators, talk show hosts, politicians, pastors and podcasters speak in aggressive tones, using strong, demeaning, provocative, muscle-attack words to combat what they perceive to be wrong, what really is being accomplished? Yes, it’s good for ‘their’ ratings – but what about ours as Christians?

Am I helping the situation by sharing or liking their soundbites, video clips and their posts online or adding my two cents? Will disrespect, negativity and hostility stem the tide of evil and eventually turn the world around?

Does it make it easier to reach the ‘other side’ and win them to Christ? Who wins in this polarized, combative and confrontational approach? Satan wins! Yes, fellow occupants of the echo chamber will say: “Bravo! Finally, someone is saying it! Keep going. Don’t stop. Give it to them!” But really — is that how the Word of God says we are to win the unconverted to Christ?

Instructions from the Word of God

Our lens to view our sad world should be the Scriptures — not the right or left-wing media or even Christian-friendly news sources; not politics and not caustic talk show hosts. And the filter to guide and guard all our spoken and written words should be the Word of God.

Here’s an activity to complete today. To avoid skimming through familiar verses in a familiar translation, allow the NLT version of Romans Chapter 12 below — to slow you down. As you read Paul’s staccato and rapid-fire bullets that target our Christian behaviour in this godless world, ask yourself: is this how I am presenting myself to the world — digitally and in person? Is this how the world generally perceives Christians to be?

So here are the verses from Romans Chapter 12 starting at verse 9

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honouring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honourable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer [defeat] evil by doing good. NLT Romans 12:9-21

Is it a stretch to find at least ten H’s in the verses above? Maybe we should pray over such a list each day as we confess our failures. We should exhibit these H’s daily in God’s showcase to the world. God left us here to display to the world the beautiful life that only Christ can produce in us. These H’s should mark my behaviour— not just in the local church but also at home, school, work, community, and online. We aren’t to have multiple selves – sweet and pious on Sunday but harsh and provocative through the week.

Ten H Features of Christ – Honouring Christians

Romans 12:9-21

1. Holiness marks my behaviour.
2. Honour others and humiliate no one, even during disagreements.
3. Happy, to the point of rejoicing, making others crave a drink at the fountain of life.
4. Harmonious living wherever I find myself in the community or online.
5. Haughtiness – not the slightest trace of it in my behaviour and communications.
6. Humility is displayed even when I am countering views opposed to the Bible.
7. Honourable choices.
8. Honest in the sight of all.
9. Hospitable.
10. Hungry enemies — I compassionately help.

Pray about the lens and the filters. One possible rule of thumb as to how we should interact with the world around us if we want to be an effective witness for Christ is: how would I express this perspective or sentiment if I were talking to my boss or my neighbour for whom I am very burdened and long to see won to Christ?

The same sensitivity, prayerfulness and carefulness I would use in choosing my words to communicate my feelings or beliefs with my boss or neighbour should characterize my approach with all others – online, in the community and from a pulpit.

In closing, may we strive for greater Christlikeness in all our communications so that those who know us, follow us, hear us or read us will be deeply impressed with the gracious character of our words. (Luke 4:22)

Don’t hesitate to share a thought from your personal experience or a verse that has been a blessing to you –  in the comment section below. Or, if you would like to reach out privately, click below.